Dana

6. Sinking cucumber is harder than it sounds. Don't skimp on the vegie clip...

Nope, this one was evil. Had a glint in his eye and carried a semi automatic assault rifle. Even took out a rather pleasant shark.

It's an older story. I helped my dad with his tanks. Years ago, a boyfriend bought my a valentines day gift...sliped it in the tank as a surprise. Bloody thing killed about a grands worth of fish before I spotted it haha. It was a rather angry fish...

From the light hearted ways of learning fish again... 1. When defrosting blood worms, do not mistake said container for your glass of shiraz... :sick: 2. When completing a water change, do not leave the siphon hose in the general route of your German Shepherd, ESPECIALLY if you're absent for more than 20 seconds 3. While filling your tank for the first time to cycle, remember to move it less than 2 feet from the wall prior to applying water :an!gry 4. If you buy plants, it is best not to get distracted by a wayward siphon hose and leave the bag in the sun for 2 hours :facepalm: 5. If you have a nice community tank going on, do not let anyone secretly slip an Angel in without your knowledge, thinking it's a sweet gesture That is all. For now.

Bunnings should be able to do a special order for you. They are allowed to buy in non sku'd products or out of stocks as long as the supplier has it. Might charge you freight though. I work in Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores, Palmers, Garden centres etc and I haven't seen it anywhere. I'll ask around for you if you can't find any.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

So i've read, researched, hit the library and asked the LFS that seems rather informed. I do try to research as much as possible before I ask stupid questions. I have four male dwarf Gourami at the moment in a 215ltr. Seem territorial but ok. Am researching as to what their next tank mate should be. The info I've received is... 1. Gourami's do not fare well if overfed. Keep intake minimal. 2. Gourami's may develop ulcers on their torso if not kept well fed. Feed several times per day 3. Gourami's are not bothered if planted or not 4. Gourami's require heavy planting, or will become agressive 5. Gourami's need females in groups (battle finding female dwarfs) 6. To calm agressive male dwarfs, add more males (which I did and it seems to have helped) So yes, I'm a beginner (aside from working Dad's breeding tanks 15 years ago). I'm trying to research as best I can but what on earth are you supposed to do when you get advice that turns one from black to white? All I want: Happy Gourami, and to know the best schooling type to add. seems easy right?? Wrong lol.

From a plant novice point of view, that looks absolutely stunning.

I started the project and opted out in the end. Pic below of starting point. I used 80mm poly with a head gun (mild) and noted it caused a significant honey combing effect. The large beads created this. Looked great, but created a nightmare from a sealant point of view. Perhaps a finer poly, not so trigger happy on the heat gun, and I would have had better luck. I think the advise from the Chemist would be valid from my projects perspective as I'd carved it to fail. I'll give it a go again one day. Have settled for rock with black gravel and shist this time round. rocks by danaj2009, on Flickr

What did you use can I ask? I find this all rather interesting.

From what he said, it's a combination of the poly and the heat. Says the same reaction is unlikely to happen in cold water. He suggested finding another substrate, but could not comment on other reactions unless they knew the product forming the structure. The part that I found interesting is that it's apparently a slow reaction. Anyone had any long term luck with poly and resin?

I've been researching what the best resins to use on home made Polystyrene backgrounds. I've called a few manufacturers and had communication with the Chemist from Norski. A rather helpful bunch of people actually, and they seemed quite interested in my project. Their response: Although we can't guarantee this, it would work fine in a cold water environment. The potential hazard is when heat is applied. 26-27C will overtime cause the poly to release a styrene gas which is toxic and will continue to expand the foam. This gas WILL find a week point and escape. We do not advise any type of resin being used on Polystyrene as in time, it will kill your fish. That was from the chemist who creates their resin products. I couldn't get anything out of Epiglass. So, just thought I'd post this for anyone's interest if they've looking at this type of project. Many people on here have used resins and had no problems what so ever. Just thought the side of the manufacturer would be an interesting read.

Yep, 2 caves set up, and planting to start

That would look impressive! Still love my Gourami's so bought these 2 boys home last night... Red and Blue by danaj2009, on Flickr

Sounds good. I do like the Raspbora's.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. Perhaps I'm being a bit keen with the tigers. I do love them, but had a feeling I might run into trouble with them. I'll do some reading and see what other combo's I can come up with to put with the Gourami's.

Good luck. Beautiful either way :-)

Some of you may remember this old 215ltr tank I picked up and spent hours scrubbing with a toothbrush (15 years and I wind up with this thread). The latter pics are of it up and running, first cycle. It looks baron, as not planted. Hence my question... I wanted simple. Purchased black gravel and shist for contrast, and it turned into copper and grey after washing. Happy for comments if my reading has me in the wrong direction... 1) I love Gourami's. The cobalts, reds and honey's are my fav. I was keen on 2 of each. I also love tiger barbs. Wanted 4-6. From what I've read, these should get along fine? What else would you recommend I add, and what number will overstock the tank. Many contradicting opinions to this. I know any frilly fins are not a go lol. I love colour. It's what attracts me to this hobby. 2) I'd like to plant the tank. The LFS was useless and offered nothing that wouldn't look perfect in a 7 year old's goldfish bowl, and had no advice. Thinking simple and few frills, which plants are best for this type of design and fish? I'll stop rambling now.... Oh, and the cheap background poster was just up to help check clarity, wont be staying. IMG_0798 by danaj2009, on Flickr IMG_0819 by danaj2009, on Flickr Tank cycling by danaj2009, on Flickr Stones by danaj2009, on Flickr

Yes, other end in the garden lol. All good until you pop into the kitchen to boil the jug, and your gargantuan dufus German shepherd trips over the line LOL...I found her chasing the end of the line trying to catch the water. Definitely a "sigh" moment....

Bingo, thanks. I also notice its been posted on recently and on the current DIY board, so I feel like an egg lol..

I've had the same issue this weekend. I'm landscaping a 215ltr so had 6 bags of black gravel and a bag of shist. Took my 7 hours and I'm telling you, that water was clear!!!!! Until I put water in the tank....I took it out, washed again, started filling tank, same problem. Emptied and filled 3 more times. It was still brownish murky. So, I came up with a cunning plan. I stuck the hose in one end, a siphon in the other and let it run for three hours. Perhaps not the most enviro friendly option, but it worked a treat!!

What about water based enamel? Harmful ? My concern is when heat is applied ie the water temp. So many opinions on it. Thoughts on using without resin?

Hi, thanks for the post. Nice background in that thread, but the one I was looking for related to tropical fish. It listed the specific brand and product names of suitable resins. I've searched every category and key word possible, I know it's there, I just can't find it. The person who posted it was a regular on here so hopefully they may remember, or possibly someone else has the specific resin info I'm after.

Hi guys, I've searched and searched with no luck. I'm trying to seal my home made background and am looking for the thread regarding it. The particular post I'm after was a details instruction guide which listed the brands and types of resins that were suitable. It was the post/thread that mentioned buffing the resin to encourage a Matt look. Anyone know the one I'm after? I've read the others and not quite the info I wanted. Thanks in advance

That's a good idea. Would take a few coats and a long curing time, but that would be a better option that a brush. Will see what the spraying option comes up with next week.